As I think I once mentioned, I go into movies with the only expectation being that I’ll be entertained. I was entertained by Indy 4, but it just didn’t seem quite…in tune. I think part of the reason why I’ve given it as high of a rating as I have is because of the good will that I have towards the franchise, and the movie certainly didn’t kill the good will. I’ll probably go see it again on Monday with family, and I’ll probably buy it when it comes out on video to keep my collection complete.

But getting back to the movie. Indy himself has aged fairly well. I think one of my favorite bits was when he was escaping the Soviets and ran straight into a nuclear testing site. The exposition of what he’s been up to since we last saw him fell in line with what I would have expected of the character. I think the hardest part for me was the loss of Denholm Elliott as Marcus Brody. I appreciated the acknowledgment of his loss, but when they had Jim Broadbent’s character entering Indy’s classroom the way Marcus used to, it felt wrong. There were other little things similar to this that just struck a wrong chord for me, but I’ll acknowledge it could very well be because I am such a long term fan of the series. Plus, I’m one of those people with a degree in anthropology thanks in part to Indiana Jones. There were bits in the movie I did greatly like, such as the scene with one of Indy’s students in the library as they’re trying to escape KGB men. I also loved seeing Karen Allen as Marion again. The banter between Marion and Indy in parts was pretty darn close to what it had been in Raiders.

Overall, and I can’t believe I’m agreeing with a professional movie critic (spoilers!) here, but I think the weakest part of the movie was Lucas’ script. It was uneven and missed a lot of what worked in the previous films. The actors and Spielberg definitely did their best with what they had to work with, but Blanchette’s character in particular seemed cartoonish. As an Indy villian, I found Amrish Puri’s Mola Ram so much more real. The more I think about this, I think the root of these issues is Lucas’ attempt to change the genre of Indy from world adventurer to science fiction, “the aliens are out to get us”. Yes, I get that pulp storyline’s more in keeping with the time period of Crystal Skull, but I’ve always been more a fan of the ’30’s adventurers, even with the paranormal elements. When Indy 4 was announced, I really feared Lucas would be the one to sink the ship after the way he screwed with Star Wars (Phantom Menace, ick). He hasn’t sunk the ship, but he sure as hell didn’t help it with the insistence on alien intervention. Probably the best part of the movie were the action scenes and Ford, Allen and Shia LaBeouf put on a great show.

Final analysis, if you’re a fan of the Indy series, go see it to catch up with favorite characters Indy and Marion. If you enjoy action adventures in your summer movies, this is a good bet. If movies with some cheese and ’50’s alien theories aren’t your thing, stay away.

One more thing I found hilarious, I stayed past the credits just in case there was an easter egg scene. Not the case, but I was there with a bunch of high schoolers waiting for the same thing, and I heard one kid say “that’s the end of the movie?” Interesting how we’ve been conditioned to expect an extra scene after the credits with “summer blockbusters”.

Review:
I’m a summer blockbuster kind of girl, and this was a perfect kick off to this year’s summer offerings. I brushed up on my knowledge of the Iron Man mythology before going to see the movie, but I didn’t feel like it was a necessary thing to do after the movie was over. I’m not sure how long-term fans of the franchise will feel about the movie, but I found it completely accessible to those with little or no knowledge of the character.

The back-and-forth of the opening timeline was a little jarring, but overall, I think Favreau and Downey did a solid job of establishing the base character of Tony Stark. This is a guy who enjoys himself to the hilt and makes no apologies for who he is. You can take him or leave him for all that he cares, but if you’re a hot lady, he’d prefer you take him. There are some points in the beginning which make this a slightly more mature summer offering, namely the bedroom scene with Tony and Christine Everhart, a reporter trying to force Tony to comment on warmongering, as well as the battle and torture scenes in Afghanistan. As I’ve never stepped foot in a war zone, I can’t comment on their absolute realism, but I felt as if they were realistic and Favreau and company were not romanticizing combat. Stark’s friendship with Yinsen is a great piece of characterization, and allows for Tony to grow beyond the playboy mentality to where it’s no longer all about him.

I think this was a great role for Downey, and really, can you now imagine anyone else in the role? Okay, maybe Jude Law, but Downey had Tony Stark nailed. I was also pleased that Gwyneth Paltrow didn’t annoy me as much as she normally does. If you were worrying about the repeat of a Katie Holmes in Batman Begins debacle, fear not, Paltrow displays some vivacity in this role. I would go so far as to argue her signing on again to the Pepper Potts role would not be a bad thing.

I finally thought up a meaningful system for myself for these things. First, I have naturally low expectations for movies, which means I’m usually entertained. Second, I’m very picky about what I’ll pay full price to see in the theaters. I give you my movie rating sytem:

5 – Would happily pay full price any time, and probably multiple times.
4 – Would happily pay full price only if I was going to see with friends and/or family. Matinee, otherwise.
3 – “Dollar” theater.
2 – Wait for DVD. Preferably from your library. If your library doesn’t charge.
1 – Don’t even bother with the DVD.